Food and Food Forests for Southwest Gardens a Residential and Small Farm Approach the Problem: Food Insecurity

Home , Canopy (biology), Jojoba, Permaculture, Square foot gardening

Food and Food Forests for Southwest Gardens A Residential and Small Farm Approach The Problem: Food Insecurity

Modern and even organic farming practices destroy the soil 18 to 80 times faster than natural soil formation rate (Jeavons 2005).

In fact, leading scientists suggest that only 40 to 80 years of top soil remain world wide (UN Report 2000).

History told, the fall of every great civilization was often marked by their failure to take care of their soils (Berry 2002)

Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions The Problem: Food Insecurity

Much of the problem is scale. • Groundwater withdrawal exceeds recharge in most cases. • 1.75 billion tons of soil are lost annually to erosion.

Much of the problem is cultural-based

• Farmers account for less than 1% of our population.

• Factory farming and factory food (fast food) has created an obesogenic nation, 75 billion in medical expenditures to taxpayers.

• 26% of the edible food wasted at consumer level 7.3 units of (primarily) fossil energy are consumed for every unit of food energy produced. Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions Promise of Alternatives

Small scale farming and sustainable farming can have the following benefits:

• May use 10% of the water consumed in conventional agriculture. • Produce 4 to 8 times more food per area. • Improve soil formation rates 10 times more than in nature. • Mitigates or reverses soil erosion • Focuses on local and diverse economies and food distribution systems. • Reduces energy consumption and fossil fuel use.

Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions Promise of Alternatives

• In 2006, 53% (by value) of Russia’s total agricultural output came from household plots accounting for 2.9% of agricultural land.

• Accounting for nearly all of 90% of potato production and 70% of vegetable production.

• One difference is that Russians spend on average 17 hours a week gardening, while Americans spend 32 hours a week watching TV.

Source: Sharashkin, Leonid. “The Socioeconomic and Cultural Significance of Food Gardening in the Vladimir Region of Russia.” 2008.

Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions Philosophical Framework

According to Wendell Berry, at the right scale, small scale, farms were and still are enjoyable places to live.

In fact, some cultures were so successful at small scale farming that researchers found that they spent nearly half the year in festivity (Chayanov 1986).

Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions The Research Question

How can design make food more sustainable and accessible to our local community?

Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions Literature Review

Sustainable Food Local Ecology Sustainable Systems: Approach Strategies and Tactics

Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions Sustainable Design 1. Permaculture Design Principles Permaculture principles highlight the need for functional and beneficial relationships of all elements in the design.

2. Edible Forest Garden Design Process Edible forest garden design will bridge the gap from permaculture principles to implementable plans.

Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions Design Approach

Goal Articulation Base Mapping: Analyze and Assess Site: Design Concept: Grading Sector Analysis Vision Statement Sketches

Schematic Design: Detail Design: Patch Design Implementation & Zonation Infrastructure Vegetation Evaluation Scale Ecology architecture, dynamics Bubble-e Residential Principals ansd social structures Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions Local Ecology 1. Foodsheds and watersheds Multiple scales of food production increase resiliency

2. Regional ecology Organized in the language used in edible forest garden concepts: vegetation architecture, vegetation dynamics, and social structure.

Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions Guild Architecture: The Mesquite

Nurse Plant Qualities

1. Nitrogen fixation 2. Microclimate 3. Hyraulic Lift (Sowell 2001)

During day, shallow soil drys

Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions Guild Architecture: The Mesquite

Nurse Plant Qualities

1. Nitrogen fixation 2. Microclimate 3. Hyraulic Lift (Sowell 2001)

By night, hydraulic lift of water from deep to shallow soil and water exudation tend to moisten the soil

Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions The Mesquite Guild

Date Palm Mesquite Peach Elderberry

Wolfberry Herb ground Cover

Hackberry Moringa

Jojoba

Mesquite

Hackberry

Jujube

Wolfberry

Chiltepine Apple Cactus Opuntia spp. Nopal Tomato, Pepper Guava Citrus A possible native food forest guild A higher water use food forest guild

Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions Sustainable Systems 1. Water and production efficient gardening systems Small scale systems, larger scale systems

2. Food forest concepts Vegetation architecture, vegetation dynamics, and social structure.

Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions Elements of the Food Forest

Architecture Plant Selection Water Guilds

Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions Living Habits and Soil Fertility

Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions Active and Passive Water Storage

Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions Integrating Elements Plant Location & Ecology

Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions Case Review 1. Greening the Desert, Jordan

2. 2,000 year old food forest, Morocco

3. Traditional Mexican Garden, Tucson

4. Zvishavane Water Resources Project

5. Food production in Russia

Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions Greening the Desert

Location: Jordan, 5 miles from the Dead Sea

Annual rainfall: 4 to 6 inches

Site conditions: highly saline soils, unproductive agricultural land

Regional conditions: one of the most water deprived countries in the world, only 41,000 gallons per capita per year. (compare to 62,000g per capita in Tucson)

Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions Greening the Desert Greening the Desert

The same Greening the desert The site a few principles applied site in 2000 during years after the on a Jordanian construction. initial design and residence. implementation.

Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions Greening the Desert

Results: Crop yields with respect to water ef- ficiency was high. 13.3 ton/ha

Used a 1/5 of the water conventional agriculture would have used.

Drastic soil improvement

Methods: Permaculture design Rainwater harvesting

10 swales on 10 acres harvest every drop Greywater of water to support a forest of legumes Animals and fruit trees. Food forest and ecology

Source: Ayesh, Mohammed. Use of permaculture for holistic water resources management under salinity and drought conditions. Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions Site A: Site Analysis Goal: design a productive permaculture landscape at the small farm scale

ences / Mtn Vi esid ews R inds er W int W ea C r ity A al V ti ie n w e s

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S u S m h m e e in e r a W R t / F ind s lo s nd w Wi S n o Monsoo urc es

Sector diagram developed from GIS analysis, neighbor & staff testimonials, onsite observation, and general knowledge of region. Introduction Literature Review Analysis Design Conclusions Water Systems as Guilds

Watering Systems (in order of use priority)

1 Active and passive rain water

2 Greywater 3 2 3 Municipal Water

Introduction Literature Review Method Design Conclusions Water Systems as Guilds

Infiltrator

Mulch Basin

Water Distribution

Introduction Literature Review Method Design Conclusions Plants: Vegetation Architecture

Genus Species Common Name Family Native to Successional Stage HeigtxWidth Form Habit/Root Habit Light Soil Moisture Fertility Plant Flower Time Edible? Medicinal? (part) Grdcvr Wildlife Growth Type Notes Ceratonia siliqua carob fabaceae mediteranean Climax 30x30 E tree Deep, adaptable Full to part Fairly salt tolerant MW No Pods Yes No Moderate Edible Nitrogen Fixer, Prone to Waterlogging Moringa oleifera Miracle tree moringaceae subtropic to tropic Climax 30x20 bush/small tree Deep Full to part dry, sandy to heavy clay, acid MW No Leaves, Seeds Yes No Edible Considered vegetable tree Olea europea olive mediteranean Climax 25x25 E tree Shallow, Runner Full Dry, rocky, well-drained MW Yes Fruit No Edible Passiflora foetida passion vine passifloraceae baja california hot, rocky, sandy 10' sprawl Vine Shallow reflected to part MW Yes Fruit Yes Edible Simmondsia chinensis jojoba simmondaceae Sonoran Desert Climax 6x5 E shrub Shallow full to part Native, sandy to rocky LW Yes Nuts No moderate Edible Capsicum annum chiltepine Sonoran Desert Climax 3x3 D shrub Shallow, Fertile Partial shade Fertile MW Yes Fruits No Edible Lycium fremontii wolfberry Sonoran Desert Any 3x5 D shrub Shallow Partial shade Native, sandy to rocky LW Yes Berries D Shrub birds moderate Edible Sambucus mexicana Mexican elderberry caprifoliaceae Arizona Any 10-20x8-20 D shrub Deep fertile full to part Native, sandy to rocky MW No Berries No fast Edible water couple weeks or months depending on microclimate Agave spp. agave Arizona Any 3x3 Succulent Shallow, Dry full Dry, rocky LW Yes slow Edible

Carissa macrocarpa natal plum apocynaceae South africa Climax 5x5 E shrub Shallow full MW No Fruit Citrus limon Lemon unknown Climax 15x15 E shrub Shallow to Moderatfull to part Fertile, well drained MW Yes Fruit Citrus Grapefruit unknown Climax 15x15 E shrub Shallow to Moderatfull to part Fertile, well drained MW Yes Fruit Citrus sinensis Sweet orange unknown Climax 15x15 E shrub Shallow to Moderatfull to part Fertile, well drained MW Yes Fruit Fejoia sellowiana pineapple guava Myrtaceae S. America Climax 15x15 E shrub Shallow full to part Fertile, well drained MW No Fruit Monthly Watering Ficus carica fig Moraceae Mediteranean Climax 30x30 D shrub Shallow Full to part Fertile, well drained MW No Fruit Monthly Watering Lycium barbarum goji berry solanaceae Europe/asia Climax 10x10 D shrub Shallow Full to part Dry, rocky LW Yes Fruit Paliurus spina-cristi christ thorn rhanaceae M. East Any 30x25 shrub Shallow to Moderatfull to part Most MW No fruits - date like Fruit Can take poor water Phoenix dactilifera date palm arecaceae northern africa Climax 100x30 Palm Shallow full well drained MW dioecious yes fruits unknown no birds Fruit Weekly irrigation Prunus armeniaca apricot unknown Climax 15x15 D tree Shallow to Moderatfull to part Fertile, well drained MW No Fruit Chill Hours Prunus persica peach unknown Climax 15x15 D tree Shallow to Moderatfull to part Fertile, well drained MW No Fruit Psidium spp guava myrtaceae Tropical to subtropical Climax 8x8 E shrub Shallow full to part Fertile, well drained MW No Fruit Punica granatum pomegranate punicaceae SE europe Climax 12-20x10-15 D shrub - vase shape Shallow Full Any LW No Fruit Zizyphus jujuba Chinese date rhamnaceae China Poor alkaline 20-40x15-30 D tree Root runner Full Poor alkaline to well drained LW diecious fruits Moderate Fruit Li and Lang Opuntia versicolor staghorn cholla Cactaceae Sonoran Desert Any 5x5 E shrub Fallen pads full to part Native, dry, rocky LW Yes Fruit Opuntia engelmanii prickley pear Cactaceae Sonoran Desert Any 5x5 E shrub Fallen pads full to shade Native, dry, rocky LW Yes Fruit Cereus peruviana apple cactus S. America Africa Any 10x5 E shrub Fallen pads full to part Native, dry, rocky LW No Fruit Additional irrigation for fruit Opuntia ficus-indica Indian fig Cactaceae unknown full to reflected 15' E Shrub Clumping full to part Well drain LW No Pads & Fruit Slow Fruit Monthly irrigation during growing season almond D tree full MW moderate Fruit grape mediteranean full 15' Annual Shallow full Fertile, well drained MW No fast Fruit quince D tree full to part MW fast Fruit sapote Annual full to part MW moderate Fruit

Acacia redolens freeway acacia fabaceae Australia Primary 4x12 Grd Cvr Shallow full to shade Any LW Grd Cvr Nitrogen Atriplex lentiformis quail bush amaranthaceae Sonoran Desert Primary 8x12 E shrub Shallow full Any LW No Yes E Shrub Yes Nitrogen Medicago arborea tree alfalfa fabaceae Mediteranean 3-5' SD shrub full to part Any LW moderate Nitrogen Cool season moisture Senna artemisioides feathery senna fabaceae Australia 5-Mar D shrub Most full to part Any LW fast Nitrogen Prosopis juliflora mesquite fabaceae southwest us full sun 30x30 tree deep full native LW pods birds, bees fast Nitrogen Olneya tesota ironwood fabaceae southwest us full sun 30x30 tree deep full native LW yes pods yes birds moderate Nitrogen Parkinsonia floridum blueIntroduction palo verde fabaceae LiteratureSonoran Desert Reviewfull sun Method30x30 tree Designdeep full Conclusions LW fast Nitrogen Leucaena leucocephala Guaje fabaceae Mexico full sun 36x20 tree deep full Any LW unknown fast Nitrogen Hyptis emoryi deser lavender Lamiaceae Sonoran Desert dry slopes 8x8 E shrub LW Pollinator Justicia californica chuparosa Sonoran Desert 4x4 D shrub Shallow full to part Diverse LW Pollinator Brittle Celtis pallida desert hackbery Sonoran Desert 10x10 SD shrub full sun LW Pollinator Larrea tridentata creosote Sonoran Desert 10x10 E shrub, open Shallow full sun LW Pollinator Aloysia wrightii oreganillo Sonoran Desert 5x5 D shrub LW Yes D Shrub Pollinator Rosemarinus officinalis rosemary lamiaceae Mediteranean 3-6x3-8 D shrub Shallow full sun well drained MW moderate Pollinator Cool season moisture Salvia leucantha purple mexican bush sage Lamiaceae 2-6x3-6 full to part well drained MW Pollinator Salvia clevelandii cleveland sage Lamiaceae full to part well drained LW fast Pollinator Salvia greggii red chihuahan sage Lamiaceae Chihuahan full to part well drained MW moderate Pollinator Tagete lucida Mexican tarragon asteraceae 3x2 Perennial full to part well drained MW fast Pollinator water every couple weeks Tagete lemonii Mount lemmon marigold asteraceae 3-6' Perennial full to part well drained MW fast Pollinator Vebena goodingii goodding verbena verbenaceae Arizona 18"x3' Perennial full to part full well drained MW fast Pollinator Berberis haematocarpa barberry berberidaceae Chihuahan desert edge MW Berries Pollinator Lavendula spp. lavender 3x3 Perennial full sun fast Pollinator Artemisia ludoviciana artemisia Perennial full to part fast Pollinator

artichoke Perennial full to part VG fast Vegetable arugola Annual full to part VG fast Vegetable amaranth Annual full VG fast Vegetable basil Annual full to part VG fast Vegetable bean fabaceae full sun Annual full to part VG Yes fast Nitrogen black eye pea Annual full to part VG fast Vegetable broccoli Annual full to part VG fast Vegetable chayote Annual full to part VG fast Vegetable chard Annual full to part VG fast Vegetable cilantro Annual full to part VG Yes fast Vegetable cucumber Annual full to part VG fast Vegetable eggplant Annual full VG fast Vegetable garlic Annual full to part VG fast Vegetable onion Annual full to part VG fast Vegetable oregano Annual full to part VG fast Vegetable okra Annual full to part VG fast Vegetable mustards Annual full to part VG fast Vegetable parsley Annual full to part VG fast Vegetable pepper Annual full to part VG fast Vegetable potato Annual full to part VG Yes fast Vegetable pumpkin Annual full to part VG Yes fast Vegetable purslane Sprawler full to part VG Yes Moderate Vegetable sage Perennial full to part VG fast Vegetable spinach Annual full to part VG fast Vegetable indian spinach Annual full to part VG fast Vegetable sunflower Annual full to part VG fast Vegetable sweet potato Annual full to part VG Yes fast Vegetable tomato Annual full to part VG Yes fast Vegetable watermelon Annual full to part VG Yes fast Vegetable winter squash Annual full to part VG Yes fast Vegetable Patterns

Instant Succession Mulching Cross Pollination Clusters

Edge Effect Dynamic Patches Keyhole Gardens

Introduction Literature Review Method Design Conclusions Farm Design by Zone

Zone V: Wilderness

Zone II: Demonstration plots, staff core

Zone II: Community garden plots, intensive food forest belts

Zone I: Garden Plots, courtyard, water harvesting - cistern and microbasin

Zone II: Community garden plots, greenhouse, intensive food forest belts

Zone III: Compost operation

Zone IV: Broad-acre farm incubator plots, hardy food forest belts, larger earth- work swales

Zone V: Wilderness

0 50 100 200 Intensive Food Forest Belt

Mesquite Layer

Date Palms

Fruit Trees

Shrubs and Groundcover

Mesquite Date Fruit Shrubs Palm Trees

0' 5' 10' 20' 30' Hardy Food Forest Belt

Farm Native Harvest Native Hedge Santa Cruz River Trail ~15' ~20' ~20' Fence

0' 5' 10' 20' Between Forest Belts

0' 10' 20' 30' Intensive Food Systems

Zone IV: low water food producing species, pollinators habitat, right-of-way greenway

Zone I: Integrated living systems including: outdoor living, perennial and annual food gardens, indoor living areas

Zone II: Intensive forest garden and energy storage for excess resources water, carport and storage

Zone IV: Low water use native gardens for habitat

Zone III: Farm zone for larger scale food production, chicken coops and tractors, composting, greenhouse

Zone IV: Minimal management, hardy food producing species, pollinators and habitat, right-of-way greenway Residential Forest Guild A

0' 5' 10'

A Terrace Greywater Annual Bed Bridge Cistern Overflow Cistern Residential Food Systems

A A A

B B B

Chicken Coop Annual Gardens Low Water Mini-Orchard Chicken Tractors Edible Hedge Water Flow Before Outdoor Room

• Seating wall • Flexible multiuse space with useful hardscape surface Canopy Layer

• Edible deciduous canopy layer • Nitrogen fixing trees • Part shade canopy cover Vertical Layer

• Vertical elements to create intimacy • Vertical stacking of food production in microclimate Perennial Layer

• Part shade tolerant vegetables and herbs • Full sun perennials, vegetables and fruit trees Annuals

• Part shade tolerant vegetables and herbs • Full sun vegetables and fruit trees • Square foot gardening Human Comfort

• Furniture, art, and personal touch to create an oasis Zone I: Oasis A

B Zone II: Intensive Food Zone II: Intensive Food

A Zone III: Lower Water Edge